What're the treatments for baby/infant/child constipation?
Constipation is best treated by making changes in your child's diet. Until the constipation has improved with a non-constipating diet, your child will most likely also be on stool softeners. The goal of treatment is for your child to have one to two soft stools each day. Give 2-4 oz of water or diluted fruit juices (such as apple or prune) 1-2 times each day, or try switching to a soy formula. If your infant is over four months old and has constipation, you may also try feeding foods with a
lot of fiber, such as cereals, strained prunes, apricots, or spinach.
Massage the baby's stomach. Start at the belly button and then massage outwards in circles in a clockwise direction. Some oil or cream on your fingers can also help. Only continue if the child enjoys the massage and is comfortable and relaxed.
Move your baby's legs in a cycling motion. While the baby is lying on its back, hold the legs and turn them gently in a quick cycling motion. This will make the stomach muscles move and will also, in turn, put gentle pressure on the intestines and make them move.
A warm bath can make the baby relax and the stools will then be passed more easily. Once the baby has relaxed in the bath you can also massage the stomach as before. When you wash the baby's bottom, apply some cream or vaseline around the outside of the anus.
Do not put a thermometer or anything else inside the baby's anus to stimulate the bowel movement, as this may cause damage. If the baby is on formula milk you should read the dosage instructions on the package carefully. Follow the instructions carefully, as overdosing may lead to constipation and other medical problems.
If your baby is on formula milk, you should follow the instructions on the package carefully. Making the mixture too thick by putting in more than the recommended amount of powder can lead to constipation and other medical problems. There are different brands of formula milk on the market, and they are basically of equal quality. It is important that you follow the instructions for making up the formula very closely, particularly if you change brands as different formulas may require different dilutions. |
More information on constipation
What is constipation? - Constipation is a condition in which too much water is absorbed from the large intestine back into the bloodstream, leaving the faeces dry, hard and difficult to expel.
What causes constipation? - Constipation is caused by a lack of fibre in the diet. In some people, constipation may result from repeatedly ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.
What are the symptoms of constipation? - Symptoms associated with constipation include infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, straining when passing a motion, cramps, abdominal bloating, flatulence.
What're risk factors for constipation? - Risk factors for constipation include not enough liquids, lack of exercise, medications, irritable bowel syndrome, abuse of laxatives, and specific diseases.
What are the complications of constipation? - Most cases of constipation are due to inadequate dietary fiber intake, inadequate water intake, and reduced physical activity and are not serious.
How is constipation diagnosed? - The patient's observations and medical history help diagnose constipation. Other diagnostic procedures include a barium enema, which reveals blockage inside the intestine.
What's the treatment for constipation? - The first treatment for constipation is to eat a high fiber diet to provide natural bulk in daily food intake. Laxatives may be used to relieve constipation.
What're the alternative remedies for constipation? - Herbal therapies can be useful in the treatment of constipation. Homeopathy also can offer assistance with constipation.
How to prevent constipation? - Dietary modifications can correct constipation. Daily use of 500 mg vitamin C and 400 mg magnesium can prevent constipation.
What is infant constipation? - Constipation is a very common and frustrating problem in children. Constipation is most commonly caused by a diet that is low in fiber.
What causes baby constipation? - Constipation in children usually is due to poor bowel habits. Bottlefed babies suffer from constipation because formula milk is harder for a baby to digest.
What're the treatments for child constipation? - Constipation is best treated by making changes in your child's diet. The goal of treatment is for your child to have one to two soft stools each day.
Constipation during pregnancy - Pregnant women may experience constipation, which can be very uncomfortable. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. |
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